Rhinos Game Notes
May 20, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Carolina Rhinos News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Carolina Rhinos (2-4) at Norfolk Nighthawks (1-5)
Date: 5/25/02
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Site: Norfolk Scope
RHINOS RADIO: 1070 The Sportszone WCSZ-AM and at rhinosfootball.com. Rhino Talk, featuring head coach ROD MILLER, airs Mondays on 1070 The Sportszone at 6 p.m. live from Wild Wing Café in downtown Greenville.
LAST TIME OUT: The Rhinos lost 56-32 at home to the Eastern Division leading Augusta Stallions Saturday. Norfolk lost 57-32 on the raod to the Cape Fear Wildcats Saturday.
STREAKS: The Rhinos had a two-game winning streak snapped Saturday. However, they won their most recent road game beating Greensboro 56-48 on May 12th. Norfolk has lost two straight games. However, they won their most recent home game beating the Mohegan Wolves 58-51 in overtime on May 4th.
THE SERIES: This will be the only meeting between the teams during the 2002 regular season. The Rhinos are 2-1 all-time versus Norfolk. The Nighthawks won the only meeting of the 2000 season in Norfolk while the Rhinos prevailed both times last year winning 45-35 at home on May 25th and 60-45 on the road on June 22nd.
THE STAKES: Both teams need a win to keep up with the rest of their respective divisions. The Rhinos are tied with the Columbus Wardogs two and a half games behind the Macon Knights in the Eastern Division while Norfolk is a half game behind the Greensboro Prowlers in fifth place in the Atlantic Division.
THE IFs: If THE RHINOS defeat NORFOLK, it would... ·MAKE them 3-4 on the season. ·BE their second straight road win. ·IMPROVE their record versus the Nighthawks to 3-1. ·BE their third straight win versus the Nighthawks.
HEAD COACHES: ROD MILLER takes over the reigns of the Rhinos after two seasons as the special teams coordinator and receivers / defensive backs coach. Norfolks TONY MISSICK was named Nighthawks head coach last fall after serving as defensive coordinator for last season and for the Richmond Speed in 2000.
WHAT WAS THAT SCORE AGAIN?: One point was the difference between the score for both teams last week. Each scored 32 points. The Rhinos allowed 56 while Norfolk allowed 57.
ROAD TRIPS: Following Saturdays game both the Rhinos and Norfolk will have played four of seven games on the road.
FAMILIAR FACES: OL/DL B.J. Pate returned to the Rhinos Saturday marking his third season with the team. Norfolk QB Chris Wallace was a member of the inaugural Rhinos team in 2002.
PLAYERS / MATCHUPS TO WATCH: RHINOS OFFENSE vs NORFOLK DEFENSE: The Rhinos are 15th in the League in total offense while Norfolk is sixth from last in total defense. THE KICKING GAME / SPECIAL TEAMS: The Rhinos missed four field goal attempts, although they were all long-distance including three from outside 50 yards, last week. Norfolk has hit just five of 27 field goals attempted this season. Each team has run one kickoff back for a touchdown. The Nighthawks have also run back a missed field goal for a score. RHINOS QB Caleb Slover: Rookie from Tusculum College leads the Rhinos with 97 rushing yards, 1031 passing yards, 1126 yards of total offense and is second on the team scoring 50 points. NORFOLK QB Chris Wallace: Former Rhinos QB completed 16 passes for 213 yards and five touchdowns for Norfolk against Cape Fear last week. NORFOLK WR/LB Gary Briggs: Second year pro from West Liberty State leads Norfolk with 51.5 receiving yards per game, 11 touchdowns, one kick return TD, one missed field goal return TD and 66 points.
THIS WEEKS QUOTES: ROD MILLER on this weeks game, Once again, this is a game we need to win. I am also looking forward to facing our starting quarterback from two seasons ago, Chris Wallace. ROD MILLER on the significant roster turnover in the past two weeks, We have had our share of injuries and new faces. So, our team chemistry is still a work in progress, but it will improve with another week of practice. ROD MILLER on who has played well for the Rhinos, Mal Lawyer had another good game and has been there for us all season. Arkee Thompson had a good first game with us causing some turnovers.
RHINOS STAT LEADERS: RUSHING, Caleb Slover, 95 net yards; PASSING, Caleb Slover, 1031 yards; RECEIVING, Mal Lawyer, 366 yards; FG RETURNS, Nick Johnson, 4; KICK RETURNS, Mal Lawyer, 13; ALL PURPOSE YARDS, Mal Lawyer, 663; TOTAL OFFENSE, Caleb Slover, 1126 yards; SCORING, Mal Lawyer, 54 points; TACKLES, Jermaine Derricott, 15.5; SACKS, Jason Leach, 1.5; INTERCEPTIONS; Mal Lawyer; FUMBLE RETURNS, Robert Garth & Jason Leach, 1.
RECENT RHINOS TRANSACTIONS: DS DOMARCO FOX and WR/LB JERMAINE DERRICOTT have been placed on the injured reserve. DS ROD THOMPSON has been placed on the suspended list for personal reasons. OL/DL Leon Buchanan and OL/DL Jason Kelly have been waived. OL/DL JERRY MYERS has been activated off the I.R.. OL/DL B.J. PATE and DS ARKEE THOMPSON have been assigned to the team and added to the roster. OS RICO CANNON, OL/DL MARCO WALDER, OL/DL J.C. Neel and OL/DL Scott Buchanan have returned to the active roster.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE: This week's game will be the first of two straight on the road, as well as the first of a stretch in which they will play four of six games away from home, for the Rhinos who will also visit the Louisville Fire on May 31st. After hosting the Roanoke Steam June 7th and Cape Fear June 15th, they will then visit Roanoke June 22nd and Columbus June 29th. Saturday's game is the first of a stretch in which Norfolk plays five of its next six games at home. The Nighthawks will host Greensboro June 1st, visit the Charleston Swamp Foxes June 8th then host Richmond June 15th and Charleston June 22nd.
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